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5 Ways to Keep Your Cat from Clawing the Furniture

You love your cat, but you also really enjoy the nice new furniture that you spent a fortune on! Keeping cats from clawing at your leather lounge chair or nice microsuede sofa can create a problem in any home. Fortunately, we have solutions to keep your cats from destroying furniture without declawing your cat.

Scratching Posts

If you have a cat, you should also have a well-designed cat scratcher. There are thousands of scratchers on the market, so be sure to explore your options on surfaces. Some cats prefer seagrass over sisal, or carpet over seagrass.

Keep in mind when buying your scratch post or climbing area that if you teach a cat to scratch a post covered in carpet, remember that you’re teaching your cat it’s okay to scratch all carpet. If you live in a house filled with tile or wood floors, this may not be a problem, but you may want to invest in a good sisal scratcher to help them avoid destroying your regular flooring!

Cat Attractants

You may already have a scratching post, but your cat doesn’t know how to use it (or doesn’t want to use it). There are ways to help your cat learn to use it properly. Catnip stickers are great ways to do this. These stickers can be placed anywhere you want to attract your cat. Or, try easy-to-use catnip spray and spritz it on your cat’s scratcher to pique his interest.

Do you have one of those cats who has no response to catnip? No problem. There are plenty of other ways to increase interest in an item, like pheromones, such as Feliway spray. Just spray it on the scratching post and wait. Your cat will likely show up to investigate and nature will take over.

Cat Claw Caps

It may seem odd to attach cat claw caps to your feline’s nails, but these are actually a great (and humane) way to keep your cat’s claws at bay. The cat can still use their claws as usual, but the dulled surface keeps them from doing any real injury to you or your sofa. Attach them yourself in the comfort of your home or work with a local groomer who can do it for you once every month.

Nail Trimming

Nail trims are another easy way to help keep cats from causing any problems. This is just one more reason why it’s important to get kittens accustomed to handling their paws when they’re young. It makes your job as a caretaker much easier as they grow older.

Be sure to use a sharp nail trimmer and watch that quick or you can cause serious injury. You can also use a dremel if your cat doesn’t mind loud noises. If you’ve never trimmed your cat’s nails before, check out this guide that will explain just how to do it, or ask your veterinarian or a groomer to show you how.

Furniture Covers

Furniture covers are now specially designed to help keep your furniture safe from claws. These covers are stylish, comfortable and will help protect your sofas, loveseats, and sofas. Quilted microfiber means they are machine-washable and simple to put on or take off. You can find covers that are designed to fit nearly any type of furniture.

Whatever method you choose, remember that your cat is a part of the family. Cats often don’t understand that what they are doing is “frowned upon” so it’s up to you to teach them – gently, easily and humanely.

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1 Comment

when we got our new couch – now almost 10 years ago we were concerned. Our cat Simon had totally demolished our other couch. And this one was a larger one, and a bit more expensive. It was a sectional. I used an empty spray bottle, which I filled with water. Every time he went to scratch, he got sprayed. We also put him in my room when we left the house and if we were away we covered the couch. But what really worked was the water spray. Today, we don’t do anything. We don’t cover, don’t have to put him in our room. He knows not to scratch. to this day, our couch looks almost brand new. I think reinforcing this discipline was very effective. And water is harmless. This worked!!

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Just when this dog-eat-dog world has handed you all the poop you can take, it's time to walk the dog. Or wash the dog. Or feed the dog. You get the idea. So welcome to the world of easy-to-care-for cats.
Entertainment comes bundled in a furry, huggable, self-cleaning cat who won't beg for your food. In his eyes, you don't eat well enough anyway. Just keep a laser pen handy, sit back and wait for the fun to begin! Cats...ya gotta love 'em.